Wednesday, October 31, 2012

We've been asked to forward this request from Chris Hodgkins of Jazz Services to complete their brief on-line survey on the 'Needs of the Jazz Community'

There's a link below and it would be very helpful if you're willing to give your views. Closing date Nov 5th. The survey information is followed by a press release about an appeal to help 'Keep Jazz on the Road' - and see also the offer of 6 copies of Jazz UK delivered to your home if you make a donation to Jazz Services.

Cluny 2, the Cluny’s additional space deep in the bowels
of the earth, hosted the latest of Schmazz’s regular last Tuesday of the month
gigs.

Watson Walker Edis have kept a low profile since their début performance
at the Jazzathon fund raiser some fifteen months ago at the Lit and Phil.
Indeed their only other outing was at the library in June of this year. They
were two memorable performances and the Cluny
date promised much.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

The Literary and
Philosophical Society seemed the perfect place to stage the event. An event
combining literature and music couldn't fail to draw a large audience. It didn't quite work out like that. Did the project deter the non-jazz loving literary
type? Was the jazzer dissuaded by the promise of ‘readings’? Perhaps the occasion didn't quite connect with either persuasion; not enough jazz, not enough
literature.

Guitarist Moss Freed took as his inspiration the work of six
writers to produce compositions for his quartet. One of the writers - James
Miller – joined the musicians in the library’s Loftus Room to read passages
from each of the writers including his own work. Freed’s guitar and Alice
Zawadzki’s violin and voice worked in unison as Ruth Goller’s subtle bass lines
peppered percussionist Marek Dorcik’s featherweight brush work. Chamber jazz,
folk melodies and Zawadzki’s resonant violin responded to Miller’s measured
readings. A CD – What Do You See When You
Close Your Eyes? - is to be released
in early 2013 on the Babel
label. For the record the featured writers are Naomi Alderman, Hanan al Shaykh,
Joe Dunthorne, Colum McCann, James MillerLawrence and James Miller.

Monday, October 29, 2012

MOBO-award nominee, Ayanna, returns to The Sage Gateshead following her captivating performance at Gateshead International Jazz Festival 2012 supporting Roberto Fonseca. This time Ayanna will be supporting Kairos 4Tet in an intimate gig on Tuesday 6thNovember as part of their extensive 2012 UK tour.

Guitarist Mark Williams played at
the Splinter summer season finale. On that occasion he opened his set with a
solo guitar piece of which JoePass or Martin Taylor
would have been proud. This latest outing began with the Irishman digging the
blues. Two bars in and it hit home…1980s Jimmy Witherspoon at the Corner House
– Gee Baby, Ain’t I Good to You? Had
Williams been on the gig back then Spoon would surely have said: Give the man a hand! A magical start to
the evening. Williams called to the stand regular drummer Richard Brown and
depping bassist Andy Champion. The trio had a blast. Familiar tunes, a new tune
‘written this morning’ according to
Williams, cranked-up numbers, a ballad, a waltz (Weird Waltz), a blues (Booze
Blues). Funk, swing, Michael Brecker, Scofield, a McLaughlin chord,
Champion’s five string walking bass lines, Champion’s chops-busting solos,
Brown’s spot-on drumming – the gig chalked up five stars. ‘Play some blues’exclaimed
a voice three sheets to the wind. Williams played Filth – a filthy blues. One way or another that is what Williams
played all night long. Williams took the time to announce next week’s gig –
ACV. He said he may well turn up. I hope he does…he’s in the band! The set drew
to a close with the monster Minor Detail.
It doesn’t get any better than this.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Maine Street Jazzmen played their first gig at Rochdale Jazz Club back in July this year, which was very well received.

The club operates on a Sunday Night and features visiting and local bands.

Every year the members/committee have an opportunity to vote for who they think is the best band to have played at the club, in the previous year.

The band learnt last week that they have chosen Maine Street Jazzmen as their new "Band of the Year".

Consequently MSJ have been booked for a return gig to Rochdale Jazz Club in January 2013 to receive their "Band of The Year" trophy.

Attached are some photo's taken by local photographer and jazz club member Valerie Bracken at the July gig. She sends a selection of her photos to the local newspaper as well as Jazz North West's website.

The drummer in the pictures is Rod Macnamara, a Leeds based Drummer, who helped out on the night. Also featured in the photos are jazz club members Pat & Dave, celebrating the arrival of a grandchild, having a dance to the band.

MSJ have two more "away" gig's in the near future, Boston Spa Jazz club near Wetherby on Sat 1st Dec, and also Edinburgh Jazz Club on Friday 7th December.

What a good time
was had by all! Nearly every seat on all
three levels of Hall 2 was occupied for this tribute to Billie Holiday, sung by
Ms Mclorin Salvant, who was an attractive, elegant lady in red, with
large-framed spectacles. Her voice has
many vocal colours, sweet and persuasive, pleadingly sad, then wonderfully dark
and rich in the lower ranges. The
emphasis was on the songs that Billie sang in the 1930’s, a relatively happier time
of her life. Our singer brought her own
style to the songs, with effective interpretations. I felt that she could have had an alternative
career as an actor.

At the
conclusion of John Law’s lunchtime performance at NewcastleUniversity the lure of some CrescentCity jazz proved too much. A short bus
ride from BarrasBridge
is the city of New Orleans…well, the Millstone
pub in South Gosforth. The Vieux Carré’s
Thursday residency has gone from night time to day time and best of all the
session is now in the downstairs lounge. A pint of Mordue’s Five Bridges (‘a bit lively, this one’ said the barman), a place at the bar, it
would be good to say the joint was jumpin’. In truth it could have done with a
few more in.

Pianist John Law
returned to the King’s Hall to play a trio concert with bassist Yuri Goloubev
and drummer Tim Giles. The lunchtime date drew a sizeable audience to hear the
trio present a few numbers from Law’s recent CD release Three Leaps of the Gazelle together with one or two other tunes.
The Nick Drake tune River Man opened
the one set performance. The King’s Hall’s acoustics did little to help the
amplified instrument and at times Goloubev’s excellent bass playing wasn’t
heard to best effect. Insistence
matched Law’s percussive approach with the inventive Tim Giles (Goloubev’s
smile affirmed his appreciation of Giles, the ‘new boy’ of the trio). Law
combined jazz and classical piano styles (a concert-goer remarked ‘I heard Bach in his playing’) most
notably in Three Part Invention
followed by The Quiet Dignity of the
Minor. The use of an electric keyboard introduced an unwelcome discordant
note. This proved short lived as the trio swung out on Brubeck’s

DARYL SHERMAN with JAMES CHIRILLO, guitar ... STEVE LASPINA, bassChinese food and jazz have always been a great duo and with Daryl Sherman on the bill, the combo is a perfect match. Not only does she pick great musicians and songs, but no one knows how to order (and consume) Chinese food like Daryl Sherman! Join in on the fun ....an easy Midtown Direct train ride from Manhattan or easy to reach by car...

This is an
unusual CD of traditional folk songs played and sung in a jazz-like manner by
very talented musicians who have excellent credentials and much
experience. My reaction, as a jazz-loving
folkie, was mixed.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

It has just been announced that entries for
this year’s highly prestigious and nationwide competition - TheNew Brunswick Battle of the Blues - will open on 1st
October. For a third year the cream of
unsigned bands and singer/songwriters is being sought from across the UK and
particularly from the North of England where, organisers believe, the area’s
great blues talent deserves higher recognition.

The meteoric rise of Roller Trio now seems unstoppable as the Leeds twenty-somethings, described by Gilles Peterson as “…the new sound of UK jazz”, have now been nominated for Best UK Newcomer at the Inaugural Jazz FM Awards 2013. This comes on top of their MOBO nomination and their debut album being named a 2012 Barclaycard Mercury Music Prize ‘Album of the Year’ - all within just 18 months of their first gig together.

Well, most people that know me know I'm a cycling fan. I never did drugs but many a 100 mile ride was fuelled with alcohol.

Which brings me to my namesake - Lance Armstrong.

He has been lambasted, humiliated, stripped of his glory by the testimony of so-called team mates.

Well, my view is that, Not only was Lance the best cyclist of his era but he was also a better doper than the others. If you were to disqualify all the dopers in the Tour de France then the winner would be the Lanterne Rouge!

And whilst we're on the subject, imagine if, overnight, the albums of say - Art Pepper, Dexter Gordon, Stan Getz, Lee Morgan, Hank Mobley, Hampton Hawes, Tubby Hayes, Pete King and a hundred others were deleted from the catalogue for the same reason?

Jazz, just as cycling is,would be the loser.

Oh yes and you could add The Stones, The Beatles and just about every other pop band that ever played!

Maybe dope should be legal bought over the counter - the gang wars would end!

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

The good thing about this meeting was the number of people who showed up. The bad thing was those who didn't show. Apart from Mike Durham, Keith Crombie, Brian Bennett and the guys from Saltburn, I didn't see any of the more mainstream orientated promoters. Their input would have been valuable.

As it was, it was a constructive evening which, inevitably for an opener, ended up as a work in progress.

I'd like to urge fans, musicians and promoters of all forms of jazz in the north east to attend tonight's Public Meeting - The Future of Contemporary Jazz in the North East of England - held at the Lit and Phil, 23 Westgate Rd, Newcastle. Several jazz people involved in the wider spectrum of our music have told me that they won't be going because of the insertion of "Contemporary" in the heading. This is unfortunate as, personally, I think this gives them all the more reason to attend and let their voices be heard.

To put it another way, it's no good complaining about your MP if you didn't bother to vote.

The meeting, which is chaired by Chris Hodgkins of Jazz Services, starts at 7:00pm. The bar will be open - always conducive to free speech - and afterwards there will be a set by Zoe Gilby and Andy Champion.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Following on the heels of Animation’s
2010 RareNoise debut, Asiento (the
group’s live take on Miles Davis’ 1970 fusion landmark, Bitches Brew), and 2011’s Agemo (a radical remix of the six tracks
from Asiento utilizing the new 3D60
surround sound technology), saxophonist-composer-bandleader Bob Belden tells
his own story on Transparent Heart.
With his new Animation lineup consisting of young students he recruited from
his own alma mater, the University of North Texas (23-year-old keyboardist Roberto Verastegui, 24-year-old bassist Jacob Smith,
32-year-old trumpeter Pete Clagett and 19-year-old drummer Matt Young), Belden
unveils a dark narrative of Manhattan as seen through the musical diary he has
composed over 29 years of living in the Big Apple.

Filaments is the second album by
American pianist Julian Shore, recorded in Brooklyn following collaboration
with a number of New York based jazz musicians, including vocalists Alexa
Barchini & Shelly Tzarafi.

New Hartley
Memorial Hall does well with folk gigs. Kathryn Tickell packed out the place
and Jez Lowe, a favourite, returns in the new year. Jazz, contemporary or
otherwise is another matter. The jazz fan, the curious and the Memorial Hall
patron assembled in sufficient numbers to constitute an audience keen to hear
to some jazz, contemporary jazz at that.

(Announcement by Paul Bream)A couple of weeks ago I send out a preliminary notice about a public meeting on the future of jazz provision in the North East. That meeting is now imminent, and I cannot stress strongly enough how important this could be to maintaining, indeed improving, a vibrant jazz scene in the region . . . I urge everybody who has an interest in jazz, whether as musician, promoter, educator, student or audience member, to get along - even if you don't feel able to contribute to discussion, your very presence at the meeting will help show how strongly we all feel about the music we love.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

A product of the early years of Trad, Skiffle and Rock and Roll Keith has kept his modest, yet charismatic, venue going against all the odds. Jazz loving visitors from around the world make a beeline for The Caff when in town (Newcastle). It's a place that is becoming isolated because of its individuality - rather like the corner shop surrounded by supermarkets. We should support it whilst it's here. The music is honest and, on Friday nights, reminiscent of what you might have been listening to at Birdland in New York, The Flamingo in London or the Down Beat in Newcastle in the late '50s early '6os. Drop by, say hello, enjoy a drink and hear the truth.

After Thursday's gig by Skamel at Hoochie it was with a sense of deja vu that I listened to the CD. As the gig also served as the album launch, this wasn't surprising. However, with the album sleeve (fantastic artwork by Angela Guyton!) in front of me I'm now able to pick up on the titles which I didn't always catch correctly at the gig.

Friday, October 19, 2012

Down at Bristol on holiday. A friend who is a member ofBristol Jazz Societytook me to a gig held in the Crypt of St Mary's Church

Excellent band. The Blue Notes reminded me very much of the Alex Welsh Band. Talking to Ron Brown their trombone player he mentioned that he had deputized for Roy Williams with the Welsh band in the old days. What a super job he did of my request Tangerine - a favorite of Roy's. Reed man Hugh Roberts got a lovely tone on his Chinese Tenor Sax. Young singer Hannah Wedlock made a good job of some Cleo Lane numbers and severalblues. Hannah is the daughter of the late West Country comedian Fred Wedlock.

If ever you're in the Bristol area check out Hannah Wedlock and The Blue Notes.

The Sage Gateshead’s intimate
four hundred capacity Hall Two hosted the opening concert of this year’s
International Guitar Festival. Hot Club specialists Djangologie could not have wished
for a better platform on which to launch their new CD. Djangologists, students
of the guitar and other discerning concert goers heard classic material and a few numbers in the idiom
composed by bassist Mick Shoulder.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

What a sound these guys get! The trumpet, trombone, tenor frontline could grace a Jazz Messengers line-up and not be out of place.The gig was billed as Reggae and the off beat rhythm from Anton Hunter and brother John on drums was most definitely of Jamaican origin .

The Bad Plus are certainly one of the hottest acts around at the moment pulling in audiences around the globe and releasing this, their eighth studio album.

Not your average piano/bass/drums trio, TBP move in many directions as they discover and digest new dimensions. Taking a repetitive phrase, Iverson will gradually build it up increasing the tension with bass and drums doing similar things differently until, somehow, it all comes together in a glorious cascade of notes lighting up the musical horizon as if to say this is our way - The Way.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

A celebratory gig to welcome the
Class of 2015 to the BA (Hons) Community Music and BMus (Hons) Jazz, Popular
and Commercial Music degrees delivered at The Sage Gateshead in partnership
with University of
Sunderland. So said the
blurb and that’s exactly what we got.

The new intake of music students gathered
to hear just what their tutors could do. A cast of thousands over two sets, the
jazz element led the way.

The sad news that I've belatedly received is of the death of trombonist, pianist, composer, arranger, educator Eddie Harvey. My memories go back to hearing him with the Dankworth Seven at Newcastle City Hall back in the early fifties - one of the first jazz concerts I ever attended. I later heard him with Woody Herman's Anglo-American Herd at the Royal Festival Hall in 1959 and later once or twice with Humph. An impeccable player, in later years I had to be content with reading interviews in magazines. His reputation as a teacher was second to none.

German born, Santa Monica based, Markus Berger is, like so many of today's jazz people, classically trained and it shows in his impeccable renditions of his own and other's compositions. Jazzwise his overriding influence is Bill Evans. In years to come, possibly the Evans' persuasion will be the guiding light for contemporary pianists even more so than say Bud Powell, Keith Jarrett or Herbie Hancock.

Justin Horn is a composer,
arranger and vocalist, currently pursuing a PhD in Auckland, New Zealand,
studying the philosophy of music.
Presumably, this information has been provided partly to explain why he won't be touring to promote his newly released CD. On the evidence of Hornology
, he has majored in groove based pop with a definite jazz funk influence.

Monday, October 15, 2012

I started the evening with Braised Lamb Broth with Pearl Barley - not to be confused with the late Pearl Bailey. In the meantime, the trio played Wave. A gentle bossa that didn't disturb the diners and went down well with the aforementioned broth which was delicious.

Splinter, the Bridge Hotel’s
resident jazz promoter, joined forces with Jazz North East to present Sons of
Kemet. The Four Sons pre-gig preparation showed commendable discipline. Band
leader Shabaka Hutchings warmed up as reeds players do – in a corner, then on
the wander checking out the acoustics (he chose to play acoustically). Tuba
player Oren Marshall limbered up with some nineteen sixties’ football style
exercises (the ghost of Joe Harvey swept through the room – ‘Pick those knees
up, son!’). Drummer Seb Rochford (a high profile example of Newcastle College’s
successful jazz degree course) slept on the floor and percussion partner Tom
Skinner went down to the bar.

Known as The Duke, Edward Kennedy Ellington was considered
amongst the world’s greatest composers and musicians, who reached out and
touched a worldwide audience in a fashion that may never be equalled. His legacy covers six decades and as a pianist
and bandleader, Ellington’s music was evocative and emotional as well as richly
textured in mood, ranging from lyrical simplicity through to dense
complexity.

The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, the UK’s best jazz
ensemble, have chosen a fabulous range of his pieces with which to pay their respects
and thrill their audiences - foot tapping favourites,
infectious swing, mellow mood and contemporary jazz to inspire and entertain
all – an evening not to be missed!

This was one of those fun nights that make all the gig-going worthwhile. The youthful audience (well most of them were youthful) were somewhat taken aback when the Northern Monkey Brass Band formerly known as Horndogs marched through the hall playing What a Friend We Have in Jesus (Was this a reference to Alistair Lord?) A young lady standing nearby did indeed mouth "Jesus!" However, by the time the tempo had upped and the band were on stage the girl was dancing and did so for the rest of the set. It's always a good sign when folk are dancing to jazz - it lets the outside world know that it isn't necessary to sit in reverential silence to enjoy good jazz.

A gem! San Diego based pianist Green is a new name to me even though his debut album With You in Mind won the San Diego Music Awards for Best Jazz Album. I haven't heard that album but if it's half as good as this one it must have walked off with the prize 64 bars ahead of the rest!

Saturday, October 13, 2012

The Lit & Phil’s commitment
to presenting jazz gigs shows no signs of abating. Twenty four hours after
Swiss pianist Christoph Stiefel wowed the audience in the Loftus Room it was
the turn of Durham resident Paul Edis to occupy
the piano stool as accompanist to Durham
resident jazz singer Sandi Russell. Edis opened the show in the company of
regular bassist Mick Shoulder with a rich interpretation of A Foggy Day in LondonTown.

Firstly, let me say I like this CD - I don't love it - but I do like it. The musicality is rather special with Shanker outstanding and the tunes are, generally, only a few degrees short of memorable. Difficult to categorise it, I would guess Smooth might be close.

(By Ann Alex).And that
restriction, jazzers, is one of the rules about playing Indian ragas, as I
learned when attending the lecture about South Asian music, at the Sage on
Tuesday this week, given by Prof. David Clarke of NewcastleUniversity. This was an interesting and fascinating
illustrated talk. I'll try to convey the
information given, though I'm no expert.
Jazz musicians will identify with some of the ideas behind this form of
music.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Jazz North
East’s piano gigs at the Lit & Phil usually work well and this one,
presented in association with the library, was no exception. Swiss pianist
Christoph Stiefel had fulfilled a prestigious CD launch engagement at London’s Pizza Express
before heading up north to play a gig at Zeffirelli’s in Ambleside. Next
morning the trio, much impressed with the scenery, took to the Lakeland hills. Driving
cross country Stiefel and co. arrived late afternoon in good fettle keenly
anticipating their first appearance in Newcastle.

Things got off to a good start with Blues For Pete - or was it Pat? followed by Waltz for Debby which swung all the way in 3/4. The guys were giving it everything on a Bud Powell number and I remarked to my neighbour "who's going to have the guts to get up here?" Needless to say, Lindsay took up the challenge with an incredible Take The A Train. Our girl didn't just take the A Train she drove it like crazy up to Sugar Hill in Harlem. If she'd been at the wheel of my number 27 bus I'd have been home in half the time!. Things mellowed with a slower but rockier Watermelon Man which saw the worthy member from Ashington, John T, tripping the light fantastic.

Also David
Caceres (vocals/saxophone); Mike Wheeler (guitar); Lisa Vosdoganes (cello) on
some tracks.

(Review by Ann Alex.)

Tracks; Till There Was You/ What is This Thing Called Love?/ When October Goes/ They Can't Take That Away from Me/ Creep/ You'd be so Nice to Come Home to/ Black Hole Sun/ I've Never Been in Love Before/ Good Morning Heartache/ I’m not in Love/I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter/ So In Love/Moon River/ Two for the Road.

Received this email from Lewis Watson: "Just heard that my old friend and bandmate from way back, Colin Farrow passed away at the weekend, he'd been suffering for a few years with the dreadful Motor Neurone disease, If you could post notice on your site hopefully some people who knew Colin might get to hear the sad news,*----- Yes, Lewis this is sad news indeed. I remember well the Sneck sessions at the Corner House with Colin on alto and you on tenor and soprano blowing some great stuff. I would hazard a guess that Sneck was the first young modern band to make an impact on the local scene in the late 1970's/early '80's.
Thoughts are with you and Colin's closest.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

This is my kinda disc - I'm totally in my comfort zone here. Think Dexter and Wardell, Zoot and Al, Gene and Sonny, Lockjaw and Griff and you'll get the idea.

Allen has been described as "The Sinatra of the saxophone". If that's the case then Hamilton is the "Tormé of the tenor" although personally I'd reverse the comparatives. Allen, as smooth as ever, and Hamilton with a Webster-like edginess, make for a pair of contrasting yet complementary stylists. No notes for notes sake - every note, every phrase counts.

Both players are a delight to listen to and together they make a great front line.

Standards include My Melancholy Baby; How Am I To Know?; Baubles, Bangle and Beads; Lover; 'Round Midnight plus Hefti's Flight of the Foo Birds; Lockjaw's Hey Lock; Allen's Great Scott and a swinger - The Opener. What am I saying? - They all swing helped along by a rhythm section to die for.

This is going to be on my player for the rest of my life or at least until Saturday.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Just to let everyone know that commencing Thursday 25 October we are switching our free session at The Millstone from evenings to afternoons (showtime 1.00 - 3.00pm). We're also moving from the upstairs function room to the downstairs lounge where there's an excellent selection of hot meals, snacks, sandwiches, tea & coffee - always a good choice of real ales, too.

British Summertime ends that weekend and the clocks change by 1 hour (shorter days, longer nights) so the afternoon session will have broader appeal throughout the winter.

It Might as Well be
Spring, Stardust, Getting Sentimental Over You the tunes came thick and
fast – revue style. No time for introductions, no small talk. Guitarists Frank
Vignola and Vinny Raniolo suited (not particularly sharply), stood throughout
the performance - not a chair, not a stool in sight. In fact their performance
or routine was that of stand up comedians; Vignola the funny man, Raniolo the
straight man. The Americans put on a show; scripted wise-cracking, ad-libbing,
audience participation. Now, let me make one thing clear…I didn't travel to South Shields to be entertained, I didn't go out to have
a laugh. After all, I'm a jazz fan! Alright, truth be told, this was good fun.

(Review by Lance).Warner Jazz present the first ever comprehensive two-disc collection of the renowned American saxophonist DavidSanborn. ‘Then Again’- The Anthology spans 20 years of his illustrious career at both Warner Bros and Elektra Records.

A six-time Grammy winner and sought-after session contributor who has sold over 6 million albums worldwide, DavidSanborn is also well-known for his flawless sax performances, as well as stints as a sideman with such prestigious names as David Bowie, James Brown, Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones, Gil Evans, Mose Allison, Jaco Pastorius, John McLaughlin, and Maynard Ferguson.

Monday, October 08, 2012

Free Jazz saxophonist John Tchicai died today aged 76 in Perpignan, France. Of Danish and Congolese nationality he is perhaps best remembered for his recordings with Albert Ayler and John Coltrane (Ascension).Obituary.

The annual Marsden Jazz Festival will be held in the beautiful Pennine village on October 12-14th 2012. Described as "Montreuxmeets Vicar ofDibley" and "the good old days of Brecon", the village oozes jazz from every nook and cranny. With more than 80 events scheduled over 48 hours, there really is something to suit every taste.As well as gigs, there will be plenty of opportunities to get involved, whether you are a serious musician, or a toddler wanting to make some sounds. In addition to ticketed events Marsden Jazz Festival features many free concerts, giving festival-goers the chance to experience jazz from traditional to contemporary to experimental. This year, in 48 hours, Marsden expects to host over 8,000 visitors at 78 events in more than 20 indoor and outdoor venues.

The visit of these musicians attracted a good audience to the Club. We were delighted to welcome new Jazz enthusiasts who had heard Alyn Shipton on Radio 3 Jazz record requests mention Paul Edis, looked up the PE web discovering he was performing at our Club on Wednesday. This drew them to the venue and along with our regulars they were not disappointed for in adddition we had as vocalist with the Trio the incomparable Ruth Lambert.

Saturday, October 06, 2012

Bright but chilly day in Newcastle. Who should be singing a few numbers at Monument? Karen Harding! Accompanied by guitarist Pawel Jedrzejewski, Ms Harding sang some soulful jazz as Pav supplied the chords and more. A return visit to Hoochie Coochie would make for a good gig. Great voice Karen!

Five members of Ashington Jazz Club travelled to Newcastle which was overrun with French football fans. We arrived at Hoochie to find that Lance’s team from the dugout were at an away match at Blaydon. Warren very kindly gave us the posh leather seats which were reserved for a party who did not turn up. The ladies in our group had forgotten their brollies but still got up dancing from the first number. The atmosphere around Bad Ass Brass was simply amazing! From the moment they came on stage their incredible energy was contagious and their performance was fantastic from start to finish.

Bad Ass Brass is comprised of some of the UK’s finest brass players and jazz musicians who are busy working on the London music scene in jazz bands, West End shows, big bands and orchestras and you could feel their strong sense of friendship which results in an electric presence on stage. They play an eclectic mix of tunes with influences from all styles of jazz

Such a strong line up comprising drums, sousaphone, three trumpets, trombone , tenor/soprano/flute and baritone/alto The little girl on baritone had a one leg stand to rest her instrument on which I think she said had been made by her granddad. The baritone was nearly as tall as her!

The band are on a national tour, complete with band bus and all. How does Warren do it? By far the best night at Hoochie for a long time.

The Sage Gateshead’s Northern Rock Foundation Hall readily adapts itself to ‘jazz lounge’ format for events such as tenor saxophonist Trish Clowes’ ambitious project fusing jazz quintet and string quartet. Clowes, not yet thirty, has two CDs to her name, is an assured musician and composer with the added good fortune of being able to attract some of the very best musicians around. And in the Night-Time She is There is Clowes’ latest CD and she is currently on the road to promote it. On/Off, Seven and Atlas were played by the quintet (the strings appeared for the second set) with conviction. The leader’s tenor playing is unusual, if not remarkable; no big voice horn player - quiet is the word. This demanded the audience listen to every elliptical, sinuous nuance. Pianist Gwilym Simcock played sparingly but when he played he played! Drummer James Maddren relished every brush stroke, guitarist Chris Montague (local lad of Troyka fame) gave a sublime performance – Clowes’ suite Iris Nonet in three parts featured a guitar solo of immense beauty (one of those ‘I was there’ occasions) and the string quartet added an ‘out’ contemporary new music element. Clowes is a star in the making. Her new-found status as BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist will, no doubt, afford her time to develop other projects. The licence fee payer’s money is well spent.

What better gig is there when the bandleader gives you the names of the band and a neatly typed set list with spaces for comments before they even start!

CHBB leader and raconteur Peter Morgan did just that which makes life easier for us reviewers.

It wasn't a full house - how could it be when you had another big band playing about a mile across town? Nevertheless, it was well enough attended to be comfortable and there were several familiar faces in the audience.

Submissions for review

Whilst we appreciate the many emails, texts, messages and other communications we receive requesting album/gig reviews on BSH, regrettably, we are unable to reply to them all other than those we are able to answer with a positive response.

Similarly, CDs received by post will only be considered if accompanied by sufficient background material.

Finally, bear in mind that this is a jazz-based site when submitting your album.

Lance

About this blog - contact details.

Bebop Spoken Here -- Here, being the north-east of England -- centred in the blues heartland of Newcastle and reaching down to the Tees Delta and looking upwards to the Land of the Kilt.Not a very original title, I know; not even an accurate one as my taste, whilst centred around the music of Bird and Diz, extends in many directions and I listen to everything from King Oliver to Chick Corea and beyond. Not forgetting the Great American Songbook the contents of which has provided the inspiration for much great jazz and quality popular singing for round about a century.The idea of this blog is for you to share your thoughts and pass on your comments on discs, gigs, jazz - music in general. If you've been to a gig/concert or heard a CD that knocked you sideways please share your views with us. Tell us about your favourites, your memories, your dislikes.Lance (Who wishes it to be known that he is not responsible for postings other than his own and that he's not always responsible for them.)